Discover Peace in Nature on MLK Day: Community Walk to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Discover Peace in Nature on MLK Day: Community Walk to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, “We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”

Everyone is invited to honor the spirit, work, and relevant words of Dr. King, Jr. on Monday, January 20, with a guided nature walk along Brush Creek. The walk will start at 1 p.m. at KC Park’s MLK Jr. Square Park, located at Swope Parkway and Woodland Avenue, and conclude at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway. The walk will take approximately one hour.

Details about the Walk
Bring the whole family, furry (one a leash) or otherwise, to this community event now in its sixth year. The peaceful nature of Dr. King, Jr. ‘s work will be reflected in this walk that encourages the community to come together, step away from the chaos of the concrete jungle, and find peace in the beauty of nature. The 2.5 mile walk is partially paved and accessible for persons of all ages and abilities. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Parking is available at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Square Park and a shuttle will be provided from the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Square Park after the walk.

About the BRW Exhibit: Crossroads, The Photography of David Bruce Stevens
David Bruce Stevens’ stunning photographs capture the many facets of the African American experience from rural unsung heroes to iconic entertainers and political figures. His textured black and white images provide a visceral experience and create visual narratives that have too often been ignored. The Crossroads exhibit runs thru January 25th, 2020.” The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center stands in tribute to the legacy of Kansas City’s early African-American pioneers and embodies the artistic, cultural, and social history of the African American experience.

More
The event is hosted by Heartland Conservation Alliance and its partners: Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation; the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Missouri State Parks; Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center; Rockhurst University; AmeriCorps VISTA; and Exploring Roots. Dedicated to conserving natural areas, convening community members, and connecting people to nature, the Heartland Conservation Alliance is a nonprofit that works collaboratively throughout the Kansas City area.

As a part of the ongoing Renew the Blue campaign raising awareness and keeping urban waterways clean, volunteers from Rockhurst University will clean up litter along Brush Creek, a tributary to the Blue River. The Restoration of MLK Square Park group will also hold a litter cleanup starting at Noon.

Download 2020 MLK Nature Walk Postcard and Route>>